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Mets-Dodgers Preview

May 11, 2016 - 6:11 AM While rookie Kenta Maeda is adjusting to a new country and league, flame-thrower Noah Syndergaard is still trying to get used to holding runners on base.

Maeda has been close to dominant for the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Syndergaard possesses a repertoire that can be one of the toughest to hit in the major leagues.

That should make scoring at a premium again as the Dodgers go after their fourth victory in five games Wednesday night against the visiting New York Mets.

After a sensational eight-year run in Japan, Maeda (3-1, 1.66 ERA) signed an eight-year deal with the Dodgers in January. He's quickly became one of the biggest stories of the first month while going 3-0 with an 0.36 ERA in his first four big league outings.

The right-hander finally looked slightly vulnerable when he allowed four runs over 6 2/3 innings in a 5-3 home loss to Miami on April 28. However, he bounced back Friday by limiting Toronto to two runs and two hits over six innings in a 5-2 road defeat.

"He competes," manager Dave Roberts told the league's official website about Maeda, who ranks among the major league leaders in ERA. "The catchers say he's fun to catch."

Maeda hopes to keep using his assortment of breaking pitches, including a devastating late-breaking slider, as the Dodgers (17-16) chase their first back-to-back home wins since a three-game run from April 13-15. They won for only the second time in their last nine there Tuesday when Trayce Thompson hit a walk-off home run in a 3-2 victory.

Syndergaard (2-2, 2.58) also has been untouchable at times behind a fastball that reaches triple digits and a slider that has been clocked at 95 mph. However, he's trying to avoid losing three straight starts for the first time in 31 games with the Mets (20-12).

The right-hander allowed two runs over six innings Friday, but did not receive any run support for the second straight outing in a 2-0 loss at San Diego. The Padres also stole two bases in three attempts, leaving opponents 29 for 32 in his two seasons.

That might not be as big of a concern versus a Los Angeles team that ranks near the bottom of the majors with nine steals on the season. The Dodgers, though, did swipe a pair of bases off Syndergaard in a 5-2 win in Game 2 of last year's NL division series.

"I'd like to go out there and have a goal to put up zeroes," Syndergaard said after facing the Padres. "Unfortunately, it's not always like that. So tomorrow's a new day. I'll work on some things and get ready to throw the ball in another five days."

The 23-year-old has gone 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three career games at Dodger Stadium, including two playoff appearances. Justin Turner has two doubles in six at-bats against Syndergaard and Adrian Gonzalez's only hit in six at-bats was a homer.

Carl Crawford, Yasmani Grandal, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig and Corey Seager have gone a combined 0 for 17 with seven strikeouts in their matchups.

Seager had two doubles and an RBI Tuesday, leaving him 6 for 14 in his last four games. Gonzalez also had two hits after going 0 for 30 over his previous 10 at home.